Jack Milner
Champions Day will take place at Turffontein on Saturday 29 March and it comprises four Grade 1 Races.
It will also see the conclusion of the SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara with the running of the Grade 1 SA Derby and Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, both over 2450m.
But heading up the card that day will be the R2-million Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m and there are a number of horses currently preparing for that Grade 1 event.
On Saturday at Turffontein sees the running of the Grade 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m and as it takes place on the Standside track it is one of the ideal warm-up races for the Champions Challenge.
All eyes will be focused on Purple Pitcher who is likely to be one of the main contenders for that R2-million race.
The son of New Predator was one of the heroes of last year’s SA Triple Crown races as he won both Grade 1 legs – the SA Classic over 1800m as well as the SA Derby over 2450m. The then three-year-old Robyn Klaasen-trained colt displayed his never-say-die attitude as he kept on resolutely to hold off the attention of all the challengers to win both races, literally leading from the front.
He then travelled to KwaZulu-Natal for the winter and while the Hollywoodbets Greyville track did not suit him, he still managed to finish a 2.40-length third place behind Dave The King in the Grade 1 World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m.
Following a rest Purple Pitcher was aimed at the Betway Summer Cup and after two prep runs, the now four-year-old looked ready for his next challenge, especially back over 2000m at his favourite track. Using his usual frontrunning tactics, it looked as if he may well pull off another Grade 1 victory but was caught late by Atticus Finch and had to settle for second spot.
He was given another break and made his return to racing on 1 February in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. The trip was far too short and he was reported not to be striding out so that 8.50-length defeat behind Main Defender is best forgotten.
While Purple Pitcher has not paid a visit to the winner’s enclosure since last year’s SA Derby, he looks well groomed to end that drought tomorrow. He is one of the top three best-weighted runners and performs well for jockey Kabelo Matsunyane who has ridden him in all of his seven victories.
He is also ideally positioned in barrier No 2.
The race is run under weight-for-age terms plus penalties for Graded race wins over the past 13 months. In addition, fillies and mares get a 2.5kg sex allowance and that brings both Silver Sanctuary and None Other into contention.
Silver Sanctuary travelled to Cape Town to contest the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes over 1800m and perhaps it is suffice to say that things did not go her way. Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock, this filly is a lot better than that and she should put up a much-improved performance on this occasion. Raymond Danielson gets the ride.
None Other came back to form in no uncertain manner last time with a runaway win over 2000m at this course. She does go up in class but Lucky Houdalakis’ charge is the best handicapped runner, loves the track and has in-form Ryan Munger in the irons.
Another runner to take into account is Son Of Raj, who looked a likely winner last time out but may have been affected by some scrimmaging late in the race. Gavin Lerena is aboard Tony Peter’s runner and another competitive run can be expected.
The De Kock yard is in good form and they also have a good chance with three-year-old gelding Artist's Model in Race 5, a MR 96 Handicap over 1800m. Artist's Model has won two of his five starts and was by no means disgraced when sixth in the Dingaans last time out. He finished 10.75 lengths behind champion filly Quid Pro Quo.
That form has held up very well and the Buffalo Bill Cody gelding will appreciate the return to handicap company.
However, Artist's Model will be giving weight away to all his rivals which brings On Target very much to the fore.
This Lancaster Bomber gelding has looked better the further he goes. He is improving and picked up a solid handicap win at the Vaal Classic track over this distance last month.
A six-point penalty for that success may not be enough to stop another win as Lerena is two from two aboard the Peter runner.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Tenjiku, 4 Whispering Death, 2 Porridge Boy, 1 Military Moves
Race 2: 10 Trail Runner, 5 Pumpkin Pie, 7 Urquhart Castle, 4 Harry Nyquist
Race 3: 5 Spirit In The Wind, 4 City Lights, 1 Rising Russian, 2 Quello Che
Race 4: 13 The Ultimate King, 2 Count Huhtikuu, 5 Mystic Vision, 4 Lightinthestorm
Race 5: 3 On Target, 1 Artist's Model, 7 Robert Browning, 2 Don't Cry For Me
Race 6: 4 One Party, 2 Vegas Hi Rise, 3 Warm Winter Nite, 1 Abbey's View
Race 7: 1 Purple Pitcher, 2 Silver Sanctuary, 5 None Other, 3 Son Of Raj
Race 8: 10 Bourbon Reserve, 5 Rondebosch, 6 Johnny Appleseed, 3 Yamadori
BEST BET
Race 1 No 3 Tenjiku
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 4 One Party
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 1x3
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 5, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5
Leg 4: 2, 5, 13
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 5, 7, 10
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5
Leg 3: 2, 13
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 1, 2, 5
Leg 7: 5, 10
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 2: 2, 5, 13
Leg 3: 1, 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 5
Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 9, 10
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 2, 5, 13
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5
JACKPOT 2
R160
Leg 1: 2, 5, 13
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5